Silliman splits games; Central Private falls

Silliman splits games; Central Private falls

BOGALUSA — It was a split decision for Silliman Institute on Friday night at the Ben’s Ford football jamboree. The Clinton-based Wildcats lost their first game to Salem 7-0 and then bounced back to beat host Ben’s Ford 22-8 with quarterback Zach Kelly accounting for all three TDs.

A running clock in the first game limited Silliman to just three offensive plays. In the second game, Kelly ran for 46 yards on four carries, including a 26-yard touchdown run. He also completed 6 of 8 passes for 125 yards and two more TDs. Tyren Shelton caught a 55-yard scoring pass, while Jordan Talley hauled in a 30-yard scoring strike from Kelly.

“In the first game, we came out a little timid and weren’t as aggressive as we usually are,” Silliman coach T.J. Davis said. “In the second game, they dialed it up and notch and played with a lot of intensity.”

Silliman and the other Mississippi Association of Independent School teams open their regular season next week.

ACADIANA HOME SCHOOL 12, CENTRAL PRIVATE 8: At Louisiana College in Pineville, turnovers were pivotal. Acadiana Home School scored on a 75-yard fumble return, while Jessie Stone returned an interception 45 yards to give Central Private it’s TD in first-year coach Joey Sanchez’s debut.

“We shot ourselves in the foot,” Sanchez said. “Too many turnovers and mistakes. We got inside their 20 twice in the first half but had a fumble and some penalties. It’s just a collection of things we have to get better at like any team looking to improve.”